Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-15
For the Dispatch.l
IFOr the Dispatch.l
To the Congress Of the United States
in session assembled:

For inc Dlspacn.l
To the Congress Of the United States
in session assembled:
Under Government like ours every
individual is a distinct integral part of
the system. His voice is heard in the
public council speaking through his
representative, who is but an agent to
carry out the wishes of the people. If
the people, then, are virtually their own
legislators, in this sovereign capacity
their voice is the law of the land. As
one of these people, who feels aggrieved
at the laws of his country, ] would re-
specially ask at your hands immediate
legislation upon question OF vast inn
portance to the entire country. That
question is the internal revenue of eight
cents per pound on tobacco manufac-
tured. IL there is anything on earth
that demands legislation at your hands,
it is this tobacco question. Not only is
the agitation ruinous to the manufactu-
rer, but it affects the entire trade
throughout. The business is from hand
to mouth. II has caused many TO sus-
pend operations, Others to make assign
ments, while many are trying to weather
the storm, hoping that your honorable
body will do something by which
they may be able to shun the whirl-
pool of tluctuation. Not only is the
tobacco affected, hut more or less all in
dustries are injured, as they are so
interviewer that the depression of this
main staple las affected the entire
country. The people have felt the want
of proper legislation on this question.
They are clamoring from every quarter
for the repeal of this obnoxious law.
Some few millionaires may be opposed
to its abolition, hoping thereby to mo-
nopoliZe the entire trade, But this can
not be done with tax off or on. Tobacco
cannot be styled n luxury, as it is
the mainstay of subsistence for thou
sands, as is shown throughout the
country. 1t is the bread and meat
and apparel for millions, and
were it not for tobacco many would be
on the verge OF starvation. The Great
God in His wisdom gave us this plant
with others. Man. with all his ingenu-
ity, so cultivated this plant you call to-
bacco until he brought it forth in all its
perfection, until it has become the main
staple almost of the world. Then why
should it bear the burthen OF taxation
more so than other productions OF the
earth? Gentlemen, away with this tax.
The people demand il at your hands F; the
producer is crying for its repeal the
manufacturer is crying for its abo-
lition tine consumer is clamoring
for free tobacco. The internal-revenue
officer desires it If you will take the
compensation away forexecuting its laws.
Then why delay in this matter? You are
the choice representatives of the people,
and under the embarrassed condition OF
affairs you are expected TO relieve the
country OF its depression. All eyes are
looking to your honorable body tor re-
lief. 80, gentlemen, lift this burden OF
taxation from the statue-book on that
measure, which has accumulated millions
Of dollars in the Treasury which your
honorable bodies are at loss 10 know
how 10 disburse. Hoping you will give
the matter the consideration il SO Justly
deserves, l am. dear sirs, without any
thing more for the moment,
Very respectfully,
j. p. MrLIaKa.
Bcesyilic, Ys., Desemb< 8, 1857.